Paul Greengrass, director of “Captain Philips” and three films in the Jason Bourne series, has signed on to direct “Ness,” Paramount’s biopic about famed prohibition agent and gangster hunter Eliot Ness, TheWrap has learned.
Ness became famous in pop culture after he became the leader of The Untouchables, a team of law enforcement agents responsible for the downfall of Al Capone’s criminal empire. Though he was known for refusing bribes from Capone and other criminals, he died in 1957 nearly broke. His legacy was set in stone following the release of his memoir, “The Untouchables,” a month after his death. The book went on to become a hit TV series starring Robert Stack and a 1987 film by Brian De Palma starring Kevin Costner.
“Ness” will be written by Oscar-winning screenwriter Brian Helgeland (“L.A. Confidential”) and based off “Torso,” a graphic novel by Brian Michael Bendis and Marc Andreyko about Ness’ hunt for the Cleveland Torso Murderer, a serial killer who became infamous in the 1930s for leaving the torsos of his victims in garbage dumps and in the Cuyahoga River.
Greengrass will produce the film with Davis Entertainment’s Greg Goodman, John Davis, and John Fox and Circle of Confusion’s David Engel. Brian Michael Bendis and Marc Andreyko are executive producers.
Greengrass is represented by CAA.